Page 12 of Into The Light

“You have nothing to fear. You are safe here.” Aiden started.

I didn’t feel safe. A lamb at slaughter came to mind. My eyes searched his for answers, but none revealed themselves.

“Emilia,” Mark said, leaning forward and placing his elbows onto his knees. “We are going to tell you something but please, there is no need to panic or be frightened.”

Sure. Because telling someone that they’re getting scary news isn’t going to scare them more.

Mark looked over to Aiden who urged him with a nod.

“So I’m just going to rip it off like a Band-aid, okay?”

Biting my lip, I waited.

“Aiden is a vampire.”

He paused to let the words resonate with me.

What the fuck is he talking about?

“A vampire?” I asked, disbelief heavy in my voice. Vampires didn’t exist.

“Yes, a vampire. But he’s very safe I assure you, so no need to be scared.” Mark beamed as if assuring me the snarling dog he held on a leash was safe to pet.

My eyes moved to Aiden. He sat in stoic silence. If one believed the myths in movies and lore, he certainly fit the bill that all vampires were gorgeous. But, in the real world, we all knew vampires weren’t real.

“So you’re what, one of those weirdos who stick on fake teeth and drink people’s blood? I don’t understand what you mean.”

My mind drifted back to a news story from several months ago about real-life “vampires” who file their teeth to points and take turns drinking sips of each other’s blood. Thinking I sat in a room across from one of these delusional freaks made me even more uncomfortable.

“No, Emilia. A real vampire. Not the poser wannabe kind. I know this is a lot to take in,” Mark said with a sympathetic tone.

“Mmmhmm.” I nodded my faked agreement and looked back toward the door. It might be time to find an exit. Things had gotten weird. “Well then, I guess it’s time to get me home. This has been swell and all but—”

Aiden leaned forward and parted his lips, revealing straight, white teeth. With a twitch, his lips curled, and two white fangs popped down.

“Holy shit!” I pushed back on the couch trying to get as much distance between us as I could.

What the hell are those?

With another twitch they disappeared into his gums. He sat back in his chair. “I won’t hurt you,” he said, his eyes studying my shocked face.

“Are those real?” I found my voice.

“Yes. As Mark told you, I’m a vampire.”

“Like a real one? A real freaking vampire? No.” I shook my head. “Where is it?”

“Where’s what?” Mark looked at me with concern as my eyes darted around the room.

“The camera. Where is the hidden camera?” This wasn’t real. I was on some TV show where people would laugh at the stupid girl dumb enough to climb into a helicopter with a total stranger. I wasn’t going to fall for this and give them something else to laugh at... the girl who believed vampires were real.

“Emilia.” Mark reached forward and touched my arm. “There is no camera. This isn’t a joke. It’s unbelievable, but I can assure you... Aiden is a real, bonafide, blood-drinking vampire. I was just as surprised as you when I found out. It takes a minute to sink in.”

My eyes searched their faces for any trace of lies or amusement. They found none.

“Do it again,” I said and turned back to Aiden.

His lips snarled and out popped his fangs. I leaned forward tentatively to get a better look.